Evaluation and health risk analysis of potential toxic elements in select foods vended within a university campus in southeastern Nigeria

Journal of trace elements and minerals Pub Date : 2025-04-19 DOI:10.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100247

Amara Miracle Olaleye , Stanley Ugochukwu Nwoke , Dozie John Okongwu , Nancy Amaraegbulam , Chukwuemeka Cornelius Ezeh , Ifeanyi Adolphus Ucheana

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Abstract

Background

Bambara nut pudding (BNP) and cowpea bean cake (BC) are popular street-vended foods on Nigerian University campuses. Current study seeks to investigate the concentrations and associated health risks of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) in BNP and BC consumed within a university campus in southeastern Nigeria.

Method

The potentially toxic elements (PTE) in the food samples were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), while health risks were assessed using carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk models. Calibration curves for the elements were plotted using 1, 2, and 3 mg L^–1. Method validation included recovery analysis, with instrument sensitivity assessed through limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ).

Results

Mean PTE concentrations (mg kg⁻¹) in BNP were Cd (0.13–2.94), Cr (4.33–51.09), Ni (0.35–2.15), and Pb (5.27–307.62), while BC levels ranged as Cd (ND–2.54), Cr (14.51–36.20), Ni (ND–2.41), and Pb (3.36–6.49). Both foods' Cd, Cr, and Pb levels exceeded WHO thresholds. A significant difference was recorded between Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations in both foods (p<0.05). Non-carcinogenic risk (THQ/THI >1) was detected in 64 % of BNP and 36 % of BC samples, indicating elevated exposure hazards. Carcinogenic risks were identified for Cr, Ni, and Cd, with cancer risk values surpassing tolerable limits (1 × 10⁻⁶).

Conclusion

This study identifies significant contamination of BNP and BC by PTEs, particularly Pb and Cr, linked to vendor practices and environmental sources. It underscores urgent regulatory measures to mitigate health risks, adoption of HACCP protocols, and advocates continuous monitoring of street-vended foods.

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尼日利亚东南部一所大学校园内出售的精选食品中潜在有毒元素的评价和健康风险分析

背景bambara坚果布丁（BNP）和豇豆豆饼（BC）是尼日利亚大学校园里很受欢迎的街头小吃。目前的研究旨在调查尼日利亚东南部一所大学校园内摄入的BNP和BC中镉（Cd）、铅（Pb）、铬（Cr）和镍（Ni）的浓度及其相关健康风险。方法采用原子吸收光谱法（AAS）定量分析食品样品中的潜在有毒元素（PTE），并采用致癌和非致癌健康风险模型评估食品样品的健康风险。用1、2、3 mg L-1绘制各元素的校准曲线。方法验证包括回收率分析，通过检出限（LOD）和定量限（LOQ）评估仪器灵敏度。结果BNP的平均PTE浓度（mg kg⁻¹）为Cd（0.13-2.94）、Cr（4.33-51.09）、Ni（0.35-2.15）、Pb (5.27-307.62)， BC浓度为Cd （ND-2.54）、Cr（14.51-36.20）、Ni （ND-2.41）、Pb（3.36-6.49）。这两种食物的镉、铬和铅含量都超过了世卫组织的阈值。两种食物中Cd、Cr和Pb的浓度有显著差异（p < 0.05）。在64%的BNP和36%的BC样本中检测到非致癌风险（THQ/THI >1），表明暴露风险升高。发现铬、镍和镉有致癌风险，致癌风险值超过可容忍限度（1 × 10⁻26）。结论：本研究确定了pte对BNP和BC的严重污染，特别是Pb和Cr，与供应商实践和环境来源有关。它强调采取紧急监管措施以减轻健康风险，采用HACCP协议，并倡导对街头摊贩食品进行持续监测。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of trace elements and minerals Medicine and Dentistry (General), Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Science (General), Toxicology, Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (General), Nutrition, Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine (General)

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审稿时长

65 days